The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Chrome Bumpers, etc.

Been toying with the idea of replacing the front bumper, grill, etc. on my '64 'Burb, with chrome. What experience have any of you folks had? Such as alignment of bolt holes. Quality? Also, does anyone know of a source for a chrome rear bumpers for the 'Burb? I could send mine out to be chromed, but the shipping will be a problem. I'm in Wyoming, and don't know that anyone in this state does chroming.

Shipping on a bumper isn't that bad. I've had both of the bumpers on my 38 rechromed along with the bumper guards and grill. The back bumper & guards were done by Sparks plating in Tulsa & were fairly inexpensive but I got what I paid for. The front bumper, guards and grill were done by Surperior in Houston. Expensive & I thought a bit short for the money they charge. I just have the hood bird and moulding & wiper trannys left to plate. I think I'll try Diversified Plating in OKC for that. He talks a good game & what little I've seen of his work is OK.

The only way to know what you're getting in respect to hole alignment is to have your existing parts plated. Repop chrome parts are kind of hit & miss quality wise.

Tiny must have had better luck with Superior Chrome than I and others did.

Read this.

I didn't have the trouble you did Cletis but I wasn't really satisfied for the money they charge. On the phone they advise they do "Barrett & Jackson" work. They musta meant Fred Barrett & Rufus Jackson's used car lot.

I just sent mine to Keystone in Brainard, MN.
It's the ONLY place I'll send any bumpers. Every.
They do a lot of OE bumpers, so their process has to be good to handle warranty, salt, etc. that all new trucks with chrome bumpers must face.
They have a room with guys who do nothing but straighten bumpers. They're matched to a template before being sent to the next step.
Waves in bumpers are usually caused by the shop using a hand-held 7-inch grinder to smooth everything. Keystone has several pneumatic belt sanders that are three feet long--no waves.
Their price is waaaaay more affordable than you'd ever think, and they can restore the worst bumpers. I did a couple of magazine stories with them.
I don't have their number here at home--call info and get it. You won't be dissapointed.
As for the repro bumpers...junk. Hate to say it, but mine was. Much, much lighter material. I kinked it putting it on, because the holes didn't line up perfectly and it pulled the bolt head down. The holes are off so much I can't put the side braces on without wallowing out the holes in the braces.
I'm going to send them my old front bumper and let them have at it. I bought a new one because I thought it'd be cheaper and easier than sending them my banged up one, plus my original was cut a bit for a front push bar, and still have 2x2 box tubing coming through it.

-Brad